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By Erika Rolling
Crop Report

Peace Region harvest slowest in province due to snow and rain delays

Oct 19, 2026 | 12:05 PM

Many regions in Alberta experienced the first snowfall of the season just in time for the Thanksgiving weekend to delay harvest operations.

Wet fields kept producers out of the swing of harvest for multiple days, especially in some parts of the Peace Region, where up to 50 mm of precipitation was recorded.

In the northern half of the province, producers report that much of the crop that was left standing will have to go through additional drying before storing.

In the latest Alberta Crop Report by AFSC, provincial harvest progress is behind the 5-year average of 98 per cent. The Peace Region is the furthest behind in all of Alberta this year at 73.7 per cent, well behind the 5-year average of 96.3 per cent.

The estimated per cent of major crops combined in the Peace as of October 13 was:

  • Spring Wheat- 87.1 per cent
  • Barley – 86.8 per cent
  • Oats – 77.4 per cent
  • Canola – 57.4 per cent
  • Dry Peas – 99.4 per cent

Although the Peace may be the slowest to get the crop off, our soil moisture ratings are the highest in all of Alberta.

The surface soil moisture rating for good-to-excellent is at 93 per cent, a three point increase from the report prior. Surface soil moisture is currently rated 69 per cent good-to-excellent in Alberta, above the 5- and 10-year average of 31 and 51 per cent respectively.

The sub-surface soil moisture rating for good-to-excellent is at 99 per cent in the Peace, also a three point increase from the week before. Sub-surface soil moisture is rated 64 per cent good-to-excellent provincially, above the 5- and 10-year average of 27 and 46 per cent.

Provincial pasture conditions decreased 2 per cent over the last week and are now rated 48 per cent good-to-excellent. The Peace Region remained stable at 48 per cent good-to-excellent.

Feed supply of hay is rated 60 per cent adequate and 19 per cent surplus, for greenfeed supply is rated 63 per cent.

The next crop report is due out Friday, October 23.

by Erika Rolling